New Delhi: Stent makers are devising innovative methods such as "buy 10 and get 3 free" offers to beat price caps imposed on them and push product sales through cardiologists and hospitals, the drug price regulator has found.

The regulator has also received complaints of companies circumventing the 8% cap on trade margins for stents to be able to sell lower priced products at higher rates with both Indian and multi-national firms indulging in such practices.

"We have found at least two to three companies offering such schemes," a senior official told TOI. While the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is examining the complaints, it has cautioned companies and hospitals of strict action against any violations.

"Therefore, all manufacturers/importers/marketers of coronary stents and all hospitals/nursing homes/institutions are once again directed to follow all instructions of NPPA which have been issued so far, with regard to the price fixation of coronary stents. Non-compliance of these instructions shall be taken up for prosecution under relevant provisions of Essential Commodities Act," NPPA said in an office memorandum issued on Thursday.

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